EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND COMBUSTION EFFICIENCY OF BRIQUETTES PRODUCED FROM SAWDUST OF DIFFERENT WOOD SPECIES USING STARCH AS BINDER

Abstract

The study examined the physical properties and combustion efficiency of briquettes produced from sawdust of three selected wood species namely Albizia adianthifolia, Pinus caribbeae and Blighia sapida for household energy utilization. The effect of the binder (cassava starch) on the briquette produced was also assessed. The sawdust and binders were mixed at ratios 150:15, 150:30, and 150:50 in grams respectively. Combustion related properties such as percentage fixed carbon, percentage volatile matter, percentage ash content and calorific values of the briquettes were evaluated. The data obtained were analyzed using 3x3 factorial in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD).The result showed that briquette produced from samples of Pinus caribbeae and Albizia adianthifolia had the highest calorific values of 8559kcal/kg and 7552 kcal/kg respectively. Percentage volatile matter of the wood species varied from 91.44% (Pinus caribbeae), 92.215% (Albizia adianthifolia) and 93.44% (Blighia sapida). Density of the species were 0.009g/cm3 (Blighiasapida), 0.099g/cm3 (Pinus caribbeae), and 0.093g/cm3 (Albizia adianthifolia). The results showed that there was significant differences (p < 0.05) in density and calorific values of the briquettes. There were however no significant differences in percentage ash content, percentage volatile matter and percentage fixed carbon (p < 0.05). The relative high calorific values of briquettes indicate that they can be a good source of domestic and industrial energy use.